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Question
Law
Unit 2:
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Law in Action
Date: Time
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Version 0.3
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TOTAL
Mark
GCSE Law / Specimen Assessment Material / Version 1.0 / For First Teaching 2009
2
Answer any two questions based on the topics you have studied during your course.
Carefully read all questions before you make your choice.
Answer all parts of the questions you choose.
As you work through the parts of the questions you choose, you will need to refer back to the
scenario which is given at the beginning of the question.
Where appropriate, support your answers by referring to relevant statutes, cases or examples.
Tort
1 The tort of negligence is based upon the claimant being able to prove:
Liability will result in an award of damages, which can be reduced if the claimant has
contributed in some way towards his own loss.
Where a claimant is injured on property which is occupied by someone else, the
claimant may be able to sue the occupier under the rules contained in the Occupiers
Liability Act 1957 or the Occupiers Liability Act 1984.
In defending a claim for negligence, a defendant may be able to plead one of the general
defences which would excuse him from liability. These defences include consent,
inevitable accident, act of God and necessity.
The Problem
Gerwyn worked for Drive plc, a company which makes engines for the motor industry.
He worked on the production line where there is a lot of heavy machinery. Signs all
round the factory warned employees of the dangers and reminded them of their duties
under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
One lunchtime, Gerwyn and some of his workmates were playing football in the delivery
yard. Employees had been told that no ball games were allowed on factory premises.
Hal, a fellow employee, tackled Gerwyn as he was running with the ball. The tackle was
mis-timed, and Gerwyn fell and broke his ankle.
Gerwyn was off work for two weeks and returned on crutches. He could not work
normally and was given light duties to carry out in the storeroom. Gerwyn decided,
against instructions, to limp down to the production line to see his workmates. Ivor, who
was talking to another workmate, was in the middle of moving an engine block on chains
and did not see Gerwyn until it was too late. As a result of his leg injury, Gerwyn was
unable to get out of the way in time and the engine block hit him on the side of the head.
Gerwyn suffered serious head injuries and is not likely to be able to work again.
Version 0.1
GCSE Law / Specimen Assessment Material / Version 1.0 / For First Teaching 2009
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(a)
(a)
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GCSE Law / Specimen Assessment Material / Version 1.0 / For First Teaching 2009
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(b) Gerwyn is considering suing in the tort of negligence. Taking into account your
answer to 1(a), and any relevant defences which he could plead, discuss his
chances of success if he sued the following people:
(b)
(i) Hal;
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(b)
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(5 marks)
(ii) Ivor.
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(5 marks)
GCSE Law / Specimen Assessment Material / Version 1.0 / For First Teaching 2009
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(c) Consider whether or not Drive plc could be sued by Gerwyn under the Occupiers
Liability Acts 1957 and/or 1984.
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(5 marks)
(d) If any of the above actions were successful, Gerwyn would be awarded damages.
However, he has been advised that a judge may not award the full amount
normally payable.
Explain why Gerwyn has been given this advice.
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(5 marks)
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GCSE Law / Specimen Assessment Material / Version 1.0 / For First Teaching 2009
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(e)
(i) Discuss whether it is fair that an injured claimant should have his damages
reduced. (Answer in continuous prose.)
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(5 marks)
(e)
(ii) Discuss whether the law should have a better way of compensating
employees who are injured at work.
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(5 marks)
GCSE Law / Specimen Assessment Material / Version 1.0 / For First Teaching 2009
7
Criminal Law
2 There is a range of non-fatal offences against the person. They include:
common assault (consisting of assault and battery) which is charged under the
Criminal Justice Act 1988
assault occasioning actual bodily harm under the Offences against the Person
Act 1861
grievous bodily harm and wounding, charged under two different sections of the
1861 Act.
Persons charged with such offences may be able to plead a number of possible defences,
depending on the situation. These defences include mistake, self-defence, duress,
automatism, insanity, intoxication and consent.
The Problem
Len, aged 28, has had a history of violence since he was involved in a car accident seven
years ago. He needed a blood transfusion but was unfortunately given blood from an
infected donor. Len has since been diagnosed as HIV positive and has been on tablets
ever since. This has kept him, physically, reasonably healthy but has had the effect of
producing alarming mood swings and periods of depression. Len makes his situation
worse by often getting drunk and he is also heavily into illegal drugs.
Maggie, Lens ex-girlfriend, has just been diagnosed as HIV positive. She was not aware
at the time that Len was HIV positive. As they had had unprotected sex, she is certain
that Len must have infected her, and done so deliberately. When she confronted Len,
who was drunk at the time, he became verbally aggressive and hit her, causing bruising
and a split lip.
Maggie reported these incidents to the police who went round to Lens house to make an
arrest. Len again became aggressive and attacked the two officers. DS Nixon suffered a
fractured skull and PC Ogden was cut across the face when Len threw a glass at her.
Len was arrested and has since been charged with several offences.
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(a)
(i) Discuss Lens criminal liability with respect to his aggressive behaviour and
Maggies injuries.
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(6 marks)
(a)
(ii) Discuss Lens criminal liability with respect to Maggie contracting HIV.
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(5 marks)
GCSE Law / Specimen Assessment Material / Version 1.0 / For First Teaching 2009
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2(a) (iii)Lens solicitor has suggested that Len may be able to plead the defence of
consent in respect of Maggie contracting HIV.
Discuss whether or not the solicitors advice is correct.
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(4 marks)
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(b) Identify and discuss the charge(s) that Len could face if Maggie dies from an
HIV-related illness.
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(6 marks)
Question 2 continues on the next page
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(c)
(c)
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(d) Taking account of your answers to 2(c) above and the following factors:
identify which defence(s) may be appropriate and discuss the likely success of
that defence/those defences.
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(8 marks)
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(e) Choose one defence which can be pleaded in a criminal case. Identify and discuss
advantages and disadvantages relating to that defence.
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(5 marks)
(f) Comment on whether or not the law in relation to non-fatal offences is in need of
reform. (Answer in continuous prose.)
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(5 marks)
GCSE Law / Specimen Assessment Material / Version 1.0 / For First Teaching 2009
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Family Law
3 Legislation lays down basic requirements for entering into a valid marriage. These
requirements include minimum ages, minimum number of witnesses and permitted
times of marriage. In addition, one party must be male and the other female.
The law on divorce is based upon proof that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
This proof must be based on one of five facts. In consequence, a court will eventually
grant the petitioner a divorce and possibly also an order for maintenance and/or child
maintenance, though generally a process of mediation must first be undertaken.
Recent legislation has made provision for the registration of same-sex relationships
from which certain legal benefits flow.
The Problem
Trudy has recently started a job at the local Register Office and has only completed an
initial training course. One day, because of an outbreak of flu, all the experienced staff
are off sick and only Trudy and you, a work experience pupil from the local school, are
in the office. However, Trudy knows that you are studying law and comes to you for
advice about the following.
Una, a local girl, and Vikram are in the reception area asking for a marriage
licence. Vikrams passport indicates that he only entered the country two days ago.
Warren and Yvette are also in reception asking for a marriage licence. Trudy is
worried because Yvette looks very young and is wearing school uniform.
Trudy has received a telephone call from Zoe asking about the law in relation to
witnesses, permitted times of marriage and possible marriage venues. She has
asked you to ring her back with the proper advice.
At lunchtime, Trudy tells you that she and her husband, Andy, are having marital
problems and that she needs some advice about a divorce. Trudy has a leaflet from
the Citizens Advice Bureau, but clearly does not understand some of the terms in
the leaflet.
In the afternoon, two men, Bruno and Clive, come into reception saying that they
want to get married.
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(a) Identify and discuss the legal issue(s) relating to the intended marriage of Una and
Vikram.
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(5 marks)
(b) Explain to Trudy the legal requirements relating to age and marriage, and the
potential consequences for Warren and Yvette if these requirements are not met.
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(5 marks)
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(c) Describe the relevant law on marriage relating to witnesses, permitted times and
legal venues that you will need to explain to Zoe when you return her call.
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(5 marks)
(d) In relation to the law on divorce, explain to Trudy the legal meaning of the
following terms which she has read in her leaflet.
(d)
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(d)
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(d) (iii) Maintenance and child maintenance;
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(d) (iv) Mediation.
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(3 marks)
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(e)
(e)
(ii) Comment on whether or not the law on divorce is suitable to meet the needs
of a modern society.
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(5 marks)
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(f)
(i) Outline the relevant law which applies to civil partnerships (the registration
of same-sex relationships).
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(3 marks)
(f)
GCSE Law / Specimen Assessment Material / Version 1.0 / For First Teaching 2009
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Rights and Responsibilities
4 The law sets out the duties that are owed by one person to another and also the rights
that people have. Most of these rights are restricted in some way or another.
For example, when entering into a contract, the various rights and duties are agreed
between the parties. Generally, one party makes an offer and the other accepts that
offer.
In consumer contracts, various extra rights are set out in the Sale of Goods Act 1979 (as
amended), the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 and the Consumer Protection
Act 1987. These Acts place sellers and producers under various duties to protect the
rights of consumers.
In employment law, different Acts of Parliament are designed to protect the health and
safety of employees and of the general public, and also to protect employees from
various types of discrimination.
Many rights are contained within the Human Rights Act 1998. For example, ordinary
citizens have a right to personal liberty, the right to a fair trial and also to enjoy freedom
of communication (speech). However, these rights can be restricted to protect the
interests of other citizens and/or the state.
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The Problem
Joe has just started a course at Rutland University and is living away from home for the
first time. Largely as a result of his inexperience, he has managed to run into some
difficulties and has turned to you for advice because he knows that you have just started
a law degree course at the same university.
Joe went into the university bookshop to buy some books for his course. He was
delighted to find that one of them had been wrongly priced on the shelf. Joe tried
to buy it at the cheaper price, but the assistant refused to sell it to him. Joe is sure
he should have been sold the book at the stated price.
Joe went to the shop on the university campus to buy various items. When he got
home, he found that:
o the tea bags were Earl Grey and not Green Tea as described on the box
o the coffee was well past its sell-by date and was unusable
o the toaster he bought caught fire the third time he used it, causing 300
worth of damage.
Joe used to work part-time for a supermarket. He claims that his boss, Caroline,
never really liked him and was always looking for an excuse to tell him off. Joe
believes that she was the same with all the male employees, but that she treated the
female employees much more kindly. One day, Joe and Sally, another part-time
employee, were in the staff rest room. They got together and wrote a note about
Caroline and then pinned it on the staff notice board. The note accused Caroline of
not liking men and implied that she was a lesbian. When Caroline saw the note,
she was furious and she sacked Joe on the spot. However, she took no disciplinary
action against Sally.
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(a) Advise Joe whether he was legally entitled to buy the book at the lower price
indicated on the shelf of the bookshop.
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(5 marks)
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(b)
(i) Advise Joe of his statutory consumer rights in respect of the following:
the coffee
the toaster.
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(10 marks)
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(b)
(ii) If Joe sued the shop where he bought the above items, the case would
almost certainly be heard through the small claims track.
Discuss the advantages of consumers being able to take legal action through
small claims.
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(5 marks)
(b) (iii) Discuss whether or not consumers are well protected by the range of
consumer protection legislation identified in the introduction to the
question. (Answer in continuous prose.)
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(5 marks)
Question 4 continues on the next page
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(c) Joe has asked you whether he may have been the victim of discrimination by
Caroline.
(c) (i) Advise him whether this is correct.
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(4 marks)
(c) (ii) If it is correct, advise Joe where a case involving discrimination would
be heard.
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(1 mark)
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(d) Joe is worried that Caroline may try to sue him for defamation because of the note
on the staff notice board.
(d)
(i) What would Caroline have to prove in a defamation case against Joe?
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(6 marks)
(d)
(ii) Explain to Joe how the case would be dealt with and who would try the
case.
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(4 marks)
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(d) (iii) Describe the various safeguards that are in place to ensure that both Joe and
Caroline would have a fair trial.
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(5 marks)
END OF QUESTIONS
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